Kiwi engineers in Suva to assist Fiji military

New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) engineers arrived in the Fijian capital Suva last night to work alongside the Fijian military after Tropical Cyclone Winston swept through the nation leaving 42 dead.

The Fijian government has asked the 37 Kiwi engineers to clear roads, help schools to reopen and construct emergency shelters.

(NZDF)

"Very few homes in the outlying islands survived the ferocity of Cyclone Winston last weekend, and thousands of people remain in emergency shelters," says Major General Tim Gall, Commander Joint Forces New Zealand.

The engineers will also help Fiji authorities to assess damage to property and other infrastructure.

Maj Gen Gall says the NZDF is ready to deploy an additional 150 New Zealand Army engineers, drivers, sappers and medics with the HMNZS Canterbury vessel to Fiji.

(NZDF)

The Royal New Zealand Air Force P-32K Orion aircraft flew Fiji government officials over cyclone-ravaged areas and identified major property damage in the islands of Taveuni, Koro and Lau, which are north of the capital.